Sleep Disorders and Healthy Aging

Sleep Disorders Can Prevent Healthy Aging

Recent studies have shown that 7 out of 10 Americans do not get an appropriate amount of sleep. When we consider studies showing how poor sleep can result in health disorders, it is not surprising that so many Americans are suffering from a variety of health conditions. When you don't get enough sleep, it not only affects your concentration and mental acuity, but your physical health as well. Healthy aging can only occur when you get an appropriate amount of sleep, an appropriate amount of exercise, an appropriate amount of rest, and eat a balanced nutritional diet.

Senescence is the process of aging we all go through, but at varying rates dependent upon our healthy habits and environmental factors. Many people who sleep well most of their lives end up with sleep disorders such as insomnia as they get older.

The Effects of Sleep Disorders

Women tend to be more prone to insomnia than men, though both can suffer with this sometimes debilitating sleep disorder. While all sleep disorders can have similar symptoms, insomnia is one of the worst manifestations of sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is a condition of waking up each time you stop breathing, which most people aren't even aware they have, that can result in ruining your sleep. But even sleeping too much can be a sleep disorder with side effects.

Some of the symptoms you may face if you have a sleep disorder include an inability to concentrate, involuntary napping, decreased mental acuity, heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure. Joint and muscle pains, particularly in the legs, are also often associated with sleep disorders. Many people begin to suffer mental disorders as a result of their sleep disorders. These may include an inability to deal with stress and depression.

Beware Drugs and Stimulants

If you have a sleep disorder, you should be very wary of your use of stimulants and drugs. That sounds like a silly statement because it is so obvious, but many people don't get the connection between stimulating themselves and being in an awakened state. Caffeine affects sleep for about 48 hours according to studies, so you shouldn't have any caffeine within 48 hours of trying to get quality sleep. Alcohol stays in the body for about 24 hours, so don't drink alcohol within 24 hours of trying to get quality sleep.

Give up tobacco products permanently, as both their use and their withdrawal symptoms can cause insomnia. Avoid watching television in the evenings as this will leave your mind overstimulated at a time when you need to be winding down for sleep. If you listen to music in the evenings, it should only be soft, melodious music, nothing with a beat. Food shouldn't be eaten less than 5 hours before bed, if you have a sleep disorder. Exercising in the morning is great for sleep, but it is too much of a stimulant when you do it right before bed.

Sleep Tricks

There are some simple things that can be done that trick many people into sleeping. For some people, making the room warm or cold will put them to sleep. Some people just have to make the room absolutely dark or wear a sleep mask. Having a dark room is associated with higher quality sleep as well, even for those who believe they sleep well with the lights on at night. Visit your doctor. Okay, maybe that isn't a sleep trick. However, for some people it is unfortunately a last resort instead of an early effort to get sleep.